Page 23 of Trial and Error

However, as I make my way back to the dining room and see Patrick and Mom cleaning up, I start to wonder if maybe the married life isn’t meant for me. As I sit beside Bridget and she leans into me once more, I realize that if I was to marry anyone it would be someone like her, and the possibility of wanting someone like her scares me.

She really would be perfect.

Bridget hugs my parents and thanks them for their hospitality as Mom hands over a Tupperware filled with leftover dessert we didn’t manage to eat. Isobel and Oscar are leaning against the wall by the stairs while Olivia is running around Patrick’s legs.

Watching the way Bridget fits in with my family is something that’s never happened before. Whenever I’ve bought a woman to family dinners, it’s always awkward and I’m thinking of a hundred and one reasons to get out of there before we’ve even taken our jackets off, but it wasn’t like that tonight.

Everything felt relaxed and comfortable.

It felt normal.

“Thank you for the leftovers. I’ll make sure to get your Tupperware back to you as soon as possible.”

Mom waves her hand dismissively. “You can bring it back next Sunday.”

Oscar and Isobel look at each other and then at me with concern etched on their faces.

“I’m assuming you’ll be coming for lunch next week, too?”

Bridget looks up at me with wide eyes and panic flashes through them, her lips pursing slightly. “I wouldn’t want to intrude on family time,” she says, all while looking at me.

“Oh, don’t be silly, dear.” Mom smiles. “You’re family now, it wouldn’t feel right without you here.”

Oscar coughs into his fist, and I shoot him a glare. Be quiet, I mouth, and he nods, knowing this isn’t the time or place.

I place my hand on Bridget’s back and I feel her relax a little as I pull her into my side. “I had planned on us spending next weekend together, you know,” I say. “Just the two of us.”

Mom nods, as if the answer is sufficient, but her narrowed eyes tell a different story. “Well, if you insist.”

The seven of us loiter in the hall for a few more beats before I turn to look down at Bridget. It’s not until we’re standing side by side that I really notice how much shorter than me she is. Her five-foot-six frame tucks nicely into my side, and I find myself enjoying the view.

Bridget clears her throat and takes a step to the side, creating some distance between us. “I really should head out,” she says.

Mom frowns, looking between the two of us in confusion. “Why are you leaving on your own?”

“I’ve got some errands to run.”

“Well, how are you going to do that without a car? Didn’t you both come here together?”

I nod. “We did, but something came up and she needs to head out.”

Mom narrows her eyes, and for a split second I think she sees right through me, through my bullshit, but she doesn’t say anything and I can’t work out if that is a good thing.

I turn to open the door and stand to the side as Bridget goes to step outside, but Mom stops her when she says, “Well, aren’t you going to kiss her goodbye?”

Bridget’s step falter as she places her hand on the door frame.

This wasn’t something either one of us had taken into consideration, and honestly I’m beating myself up for thinking my mom wouldn’t say something like that.

Bridget twists to look at me, aware of all the eyes on us, and raises a taunting brow, as if to say your move.

A small smirk pulls at my lips as I take a step forward and snake my arms around her waist, pulling her into my chest. With pleasure.

I lower my face until our noses are brushing against one another, and I linger there for a moment, fighting the groan that rumbles in my chest at the way she breathes in sharply. Her exhale comes out shaky as her baby blues flicker up to meet my gaze, but softly flutter shut as my lips gently brush against her own. My hand moves on its own, reaching up to cup her warm cheek and my lips turn up when I feel her hand move up and rest on my bicep.

Her lips, soft and supple, graze against mine in a tentative manner, and the hushed moan that catches in her throat has my hands tightening on her waist. Bridget’s mouth parts on a breathy gasp that’s made for my ears, and my ears only, before she closes them again, capturing my bottom lip between hers.

The kiss only lasts a second longer before she pulls back with a slightly dazed look in her eyes. Her porcelain cheeks are flushed and the way she pulls her bottom lip between her teeth has me wanting to lean forward and nip it. With her face still so close to mine, I make the move to do so, but someone clearing their throat behind us pulls her away from me.